Traditional and Roth IRAs - Which Is Right For You?

There is a wide variety of tax-advantaged ways for individuals to save for retirement. Because of their income tax benefits and because IRAs are so easily established, they have become one of the most often used retirement savings vehicles available today. Recent tax laws, however, have created three very unique types of IRAs the Traditional IRA, the Non-Deductible IRA and the newer Roth IRA.

Traditional IRA

Traditional IRA - Individual Retirement Account, is a tax-deferred investment and savings account that acts as a personal retirement fund for people with employment income. The maximum contribution is $5,500 annually in 2014 and 2015 with an additional $1000 if over 50 years old. There are two primary types of IRAs: Regular and Spousal. Regular IRAs are designed for individuals with earned income, while Spousal IRAs are designed for married couples in which only one of the spouses has earned income. You have the option of investing in a wide variety of investments.
(
See IRS Publication 590).

For Regular and Spousal IRAs:

You contributed to a company-sponsored retirement plan: are single and earned less than $61,000 in 2015 or married and filing jointly and had a joint income of less than $98,000 in 2015.

Your contribution is partially tax-deductible if:

You contributed to a company-sponsored retirement plan: are single and earned $61,000 but less than $71,000 in 2015 or married and filing jointly and had a joint income of $98,000-$118,000 in 2015.

Your contribution is not tax-deductible if:

You contributed to a company-sponsored retirement plan: either single and earned more than $71,000 in 2015 or married and filing jointly and had a joint income of more than $118,000 in 2015.

Non-Deductible IRA

Similar to the Traditional IRA, the Non-Deductible IRA allows a working individual under the age of 70 ½ to contribute up to $5,500 of compensation each year. Unlike the Traditional IRA, the Non-Deductible IRA contribution is made with after-tax dollars, the income tax deduction allowed with the Traditional IRA is not available to the Non-Deductible IRA. For the most part, the Non-Deductible IRA is utilized by those who do not qualify for the Traditional IRA, but can benefit from the “tax deferral” of earnings allowed with the Non-Deductible IRA.

Roth IRA

Roth IRA - is an individual retirement account with a maximum contribution of:

In 2014 and 2015 the maximum contribution is $5,500 with
additional $1,000 contribution if over age 50.

Contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax-deductible.
However, the
investments grow tax free and earnings may be withdrawn tax free after
59 ½ as long as the account has been open 5 years.

Eligibility for contributions to a Roth IRA is phased out for married couples filing jointly with an AGI between $181,000 and $191,000 for 2014 and $183,000 and $193,000 in 2015 and single individuals with an AGI between $114,000 and 129,000 in 2014 and $116,000 and $131,000 in 2015.

To Help Decide Which IRA Is Best For You...

Many factors must be considered, such as current and future income tax rates, investment returns, what the money will be used for and when, income, marital status, and the availability of a retirement plan at work. We can assist you in examining your personal situation to help you tailor your retirement plan to your individual needs.

Material discussed is meant for general illustration and/or informational purposes only and it is not to be construed as tax, legal, or investment advice. Although the information has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, please note that individual situations can vary therefore, the information should be relied upon when coordinated with individual professional advice.

This web site may contain concepts that have legal, accounting and tax implications. It is not intended to provide legal, accounting or tax advice. You may wish to consult a competent attorney, tax advisor, or accountant.